Velocipede



' y 3, 1932- w. G. JOHNSON 1,856,255

VELOCI'PEDE Filed Aug. 21, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l 55 58 gvvuenloc May 3, 1932. we. JOHNSON VELOCI PEDE Filed Aug. 21, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet gwoenloz wl /ffed da/mson ('lttomq f I-IV/ lllll/lll- II Patented May 3, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE "WILFRED G. JOHNSON, OF ELYRIA, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE COLSON COMPANY, OF ELYRIA, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO VELOGIPEDE' Application filed August 21, 1930. Serial No. 476,737.

This invention relates to velocipedes.

My invention in various aspects thereof-is applicable to velocipedes of various types but I have chosen to illustrate and describe it herein as applied to a velocipede of the three wheel chain and pedal driven type.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide a velocipede having improved knock-down features of construction to facilitate packing and shipping thereof.

Another object is to provide a velocipede of the three-wheel type having improved power transmission of the chain type.

Another object is to provide a velocipede of the sprocket chain-driven type having improved chain-tightening means.

Another object is to provide a chain-driven velocipede of the three-wheel type in which the chain may be disposed in the central plane of the machine in an improved manner.

Another object is to provide a sprocket chain-driven velocipede having improved means for protectingly covering the chain sprockets and chain.

Another object is to provide an improved power transmission for velocipedes.

Another object is to provide a velocipede which will be easy to propel and safe to op crate. Another object is to provide a sprocket chain-driven velocipede in which the chain and sprockets are guarded in an improved manner to effectively prevent injury to the lingers of a child or other person While using the veloeipede as a toy.

Another object is to provide a velocipede which will be efficient in operation and durable in use and which may be constructed from the minimum of parts and at the minimum of cost and which will be neat and attractive in appearance.

Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains.

My invention is fully disclosed in the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a partly longitudinal-sectional view of a velocipede embodying my invention, the view being taken approximately from the plane 1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional View iaken approximately from the plane 2-2 of Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, with some of the parts shown in cross-section and with other parts omitted for simplicity and drawn to a larger scale;

Fig. 4 is another view of the same embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 5 is a view taken approximately from the plane 5 of Fig. 1 and drawn to a larger scale.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1, I have shown at l a front wheel and at 2 and 3 a pair of rear wheels upon which the velocipede may be supported and propelledalong the ground. The front wheel 1 is illustrated in simplified form, and the hub thereof has a rotational bearing 4 in a fork 5 terminating above the wheel in a yoke 8. A stem 9 extends upwardly from the yoke 8 through a generally T-shaped head 6 and through a tubular extension 11 on the head. The stem 9 terminates upwardly in a head 12 to which handle bars 13 may be secured. The part-s thus far described may be of any well known or suitable construction. The T-shaped head 6 is preferably a malleable iron casting into the cross element of which the tubular extension 11 may be inserted.

The stem portion 14 of the T-shaped head 6 has joined therewith a downwardly and rearwardly depending frame element 15 inserted at its upper end as at 15 into the portion 14; of the head curving substantially annularly around the bearing 4 for a suitable distance and then diverging horizontally rearwardly at the lower end thereof as at 16. The lower end of the frame element 15 is fitted into a socket portion 17 of a crank hanger 18 which is preferably a malleable casting. The crank hanger 18 is generally of U-shape in vertical cross-section with the closed end of the U disposed forwardly and merging into the said socket portion 17 the axis of the socket portion being disposed in the central vertical plane of the 'velocipede. The crank hanger has also spaced side walls 19-19 in vertical planes between which is a chamber suitable to receive the driving sprocket wheel 20. In the side walls 19-19 are aligned bearing housings 21-21 in which ball bearings 22-22 may be pressed. On the upper side of the crank hanger 18 is a pair of vertically extending lugs 23-23 provided each with a perforation 24 for a purpose to be described.

On the side walls 19 of the crank hanger are rearwardly extending shallow grooves- 25 preferably provided by parallel spaced.

beads 26-26. The driving sprocket 20 is mounted on a drive shaft 27, being clamped thereon between a nut 28 and a shoulder 29 on the shaft, the shaft being supported in the bearings 22-22 and terminating at each end in pedal cranks 30-30 provided with pedals 31-31. The pedals 31 are shown in Fig. 1 but for simplicity have beeen omitted from the other figures.

A pair of preferably parallel tie bars 32-32 formed from flat bar stock are riveted or bolted at oneend as at 33-33 to the crank hanger 18, the ends of the bars being disposed in the grooves 25. The bars extend rearwardly from the crank hanger substantially horizontally and adjacent their rear ends are tied together by a spacer 34 which, as shown in Fig. 3, may be formed from a piece of round stock provided with necks 35 on the opposite ends thereof inserted through suitable perforations in the tie bars 32 and riveted over on each end as at 36-36.

The rear ends of the tie bars 32 are laid in grooves 37 corresponding to the grooves 25 in the side walls of a rear axle housing 38 to be more fullydescribed. The grooves 37 are preferably formed by providing parallel spaced beads 39 on a pair of forwardly projecting extensions 40-40 of the housing 38 in each of which is provided a horizontally disposed slot 41. A tie bolt 42, provided with threaded necks 42' is disposed between the extensions 40 of the housing 38 with the ends 42 inserted through suitable perforations adjacent the ends of the tie bars 32 and through the slots 41 and by means of nuts 43 threaded on the ends 42 of the bolt, the tie bars 32 may be clamped on the rear axle housing 38 in the grooves 37 and rigidly connected to the housing with the crank hanger 18 in horizontal spaced relation thereto. The bolt 42 may be telescoped through a sleeve abutting at'its ends upon the inner surfaces of the extensions 40 as shown in Fig. 3 to prevent inwardly springing of the extensions 40 upon tightening the nuts 43, the sleeve 70 functioning as a spacer.

The rear axle housing 38 referred to, has a main central portion 46 which is generally U-shape in vertical section, the open end of the U being disposed forwardly and the lateral walls 47 of the housing are formed into laterally extending sockets 48-48 into which are fitted rear axle tubes 49-49. The ex tensions 40-40 of the housing 38 above referred to constitute forward extensions of the lateral walls 47 of the housing and at their forward ends are joined by a tie member 50. The rear axle housing 38 is preferably a malleable iron casting and formed in a single piece.

A stud 51 is threaded through the spacer 34 and disposed horizontally and provided with a screw driver slot 52 by which it may be turned, and the rearward end of the stud 51 abuts upon the tie member 50 of the rear axle housing, the function of which will presently be described.

A driven sprocket wheel 44 in the rear axle housing 38 and to be more fully described is connected to the sprocket wheel 20 in the crank hanger 18 by a sprocket chain 45 and, as will now be clear, the tension in the chain 45 may be adjusted by loosening the nuts 43 on the tie bolt 42 and sliding the rear axle housing 38 forwardly or rearwardly, the bolt 42 sliding in the slots 41-41 of the housing and the tie bars 32 sliding in the grooves 37, and at any adjustment the same may be securely fixed by tightening the nuts 43. To facilitate adjustably varying the tension of the chain 45 in a manner above described, the stud 51 may be turned to propel the rear axle housing 38 rearwardly or to permit its movement forwardly.

The rear axle tubes 49-49 extend laterally and horizontally from the housing 38 and at their extreme ends, have inserted therein axle bearing housings 53. The bearing housings 53 comprise each a cup portion 54 into which a ball bearing 55 may be pressed, and the housings have neck portions 56 adapted to be fitted into the bore of the tubes 49, the tubes abutting at their ends upon suitable shoulders 57 of the housing. Extending forwardly from the housings are ears 58 provided with perforations 59, for a purpose to be described.

A rear axle 60 is disposed axially of the tubes 49 and housings 53 and is rotatably supported by the bearings 55. Upon the axle 60 and within the housing 38, a sprocket hub is secured as by a pin 76 driven throughthe hub and axle; and the hub 75 has a reduced portion 77 thus providing a shoulder 78; and the rear sprocket 44 above referred to is telescoped over the portion 77 and against the shoulder 7 8 and may be secured thereon by spot welding as at 79 or by other known means.

As will now be apparent, when the pedal cranks 30 are revolved, revolving the sprocket wheel 20 and through the chain 45 correspondingly revolving the sprocket wheel 44,

means to propel the velocipede forwardly when the axle is rotated. The other wheel 3 is preferably mounted to rotate on the other end of the shaft 60 projecting beyond the bearing 55, and the wheel bearing on the shaft may be of any known or suitable construction. This provision is made to facilitate the movement of the velocipede on a curve for well known reasons.

A seat post 62 comprising preferably a section of tubing has one end disposed between the lugs :23 on the crank hanger 18 and is secured to the crank hanger by a bolt 6 projected through the perforations 2t in the lugs and through corres 'ionding suitable perforations in the walls of the tubing 62 The upper end of the post 62 is fitted into a seat head 6st preferably malleable iron casting into which also is placed the seat standard upon which a seat 66 of any known or suitable construction is mounted. The seat head 64 has secured thereto as by a bolt 67 a. pair of downwardly rearwardly laterally extending braces 6868, the lower ends of which are secured as by bolts 69 to the cars 58 on the bearing housings the bolt 69 being proj ected through the perforations 59 in the ears and through suitable perforations in the braces 68. The braces 68 are preferably formed from tubing, the ends of which have been mashed hat to facilitate securing them by the bolts above described.

It will be observed that the braces 68 and post 62 are pivotally connected to each other by the bolt67 and pivotally connected by the bolts 69 and 63 respectively to the rear axle housing 38 and the crank hanger 18. By this construction, when the rear axle housing is moved forwardly or rearwardly during adjustment of the chain tension, as above described, the braces and post may pivotall adjust themselves to the newly adjusted position of the rear axle housing 38, in a manner that will be understood. At the same time however the support for the saddle 66 comprising the post 62 and braces 68 is rigid, strong and braced in all directions due to the triangular disposition of the parts. The bracing against forward and rearward shifting of the saddle 66 is effected by the braces 68, post 62 and tie bars 32, which are generally triangularly, disposed as shown in Fl g. 1 g and the saddle 66 is prevented from shiftinglaterally by the braces 68 and rear axle construction which parts also are generally of triangular disposition, as will be observed from the drawings.

As above described and as will be apparent from the drawings, see Fig. 4, the open ends of the crank hanger 18 and rear axle housing 38 confronting each other are or may be extended sufficiently toward each other to completely cover, enclose, or shield the sprocket wheels at the points of tangential engagement therewith of the sprocket chain 45. It is thus virtually impossible for parts of clothing or for the feet of the rider to be drawn into the meshed chain and sprocket wheel or wheels. Furthermore, as is well known, velocipedes are frequently used as toys, the user not riding on the saddle but turning or spinning the wheels by hand and toying with the moving parts. In such instances, the velocipede may become a dangerous instrument and has often injured and mutilated the hands and fingers of children playing with a velocipede in this manner. By the above described and illustrated construction involving the form and construction of the hanger 18 and housing 38, it is virtually impossible for the hands or fingers to become meshed with the chain and sprocket wheels and thus the velocipede of .my invention is rendered safe and the user is protected from accident in the manner indicated above.

In the construction above described, it will be observed that the driving sprocket wheel 20 and the sprocket chain 45 are disposed along the central plane of the velocipede, the sprocket wheel 20 being disposed between the bearings 22-22 which support the shaft 27 and thus not only is the chain spaced laterally the maximum possible distance on both sides from the legs and feet of the rideravoiding contact therewith, but the load onthe bearings 22 is equalized, the friction reduced to the minimum and the efficiency of the velocipede as a machine is improved.

For purposes of transportation, the machine admits of being reduced to small dimensions and compact arrangement. The handle bars 18 may be removed in the usual manner. Also, and more particularly involving features of my invention, upon removing the bolt 63 connecting the post 62 with the crank hanger 18, the post 62 may be pivotally rotated upwardly around the bolt 67 in the head 64, and the braces 68 may be then pivotally rotated downwardly around the bolts 69 and the post 62 and braces 68 together with the saddle 66 may thus be laid adjacent to the hanger 18 and brace element 15, thus reducing the overall vertical dimensions of the vehicle.

The connection between the frame element 15 and the head 6 on one end and the crank hanger 18 on the other end; and the (30111160- tion between the axle tubing sectiqns 49 and the rear axle housing 36; and the connection between the bearing housings 53 and the axle tubes 49; and elsewhere on the velocipede where such connections are or may be employed are, as above described, made between a malleable iron casting and a section of tub- This connection may be made in various ways such as by heat-shrinking or by braz ing or by welding or other known or suitable method Although I have described the hanger 18 and other parts aspreferably made from malleable cast iron, this material is not necessary as will be understood and other materials such as bronze for example may be substituted therefor and in connection with various materials, the said parts may be variously formed.

My invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described. Many changes therein and modifications thereof may be made within the spirit of the invention without sacrificing its advantages.

I claim 1. In a velocipede or the like,a crank housing comprising enclosing upper, lower, frontand side walls, a crank shaft having rotational bearing in the side walls, pedal cranks on the ends of the shaft exteriorly of the side walls, a driving sprocket wheel on the shaft within the housing between the side walls, a rear axle housing comprising enclosing upper, lower, rear and side walls, a pair of opposite laterally disposed tubular extensions on the side walls thereof, a rear axle extending through the tubular extensions and axle housing, rotary bearing supports for the axle in the tubular extensions, a driven sprocket wheel on the axle within the axle housing coplanular with the said driving sprocket, and a sprocket chain on said sprocket wheels.

2. In a velocipede or the like, a crank housing comprising enclosing upper, lower, front and side walls, a crank shaft having rotational bearing in the side walls, pedal cranks on the ends of the shaft exteriorly of the side walls, a driving sprocket wheel on the shaft within the housing between the side walls, a rear axle housing comprising enclosing upper, lower, rear and side walls, a pair ofopposite laterally'disposed tubular extensions on the side walls thereof, a rear axle extending through the tubular extensions and axle housing, rotary bearing supports for the axle in the tubular extensions, a driven sprocket wheel on the axle within the axle housing coplanular with the said driving sprocket, a sprocket chain on said sprocket wheels, the axle extending laterally from the ends of the tubular extensions, and a pair of supporting wheels on the ends of the axle substantially equally spaced from the plane of the sprocket wheels.

3. In a velocipede or the like, a crank housing comprising enclosing upper, lower, front and side walls, a crank shaft having rotational bearing in the sidewalls, pedal cranks on the ends of the shaft exteriorly of the side walls, a driving sprocket wheel on the shaft within the housing between the side walls, a rear axle housing comprising enclosing upper, lower, rear and side walls, a pair of opposite laterally disposed tubular extensions on the side walls thereof, a rear axle extending through the tubular extensions and axle housing, rotary bearing supports for the axle in the tubular extensions, a driven sprocket wheel on the axle within the axle housing coplanular with the said driving sprocket, a sprocket chain on said sprocket wheels, and a forwardly and rearwardly extending side bar rigidly connected at its ends to the side walls of the crank housing and axle housing to rigidly maintain them in spaced relation.

e. In a velocipede or the like, a crank housing comprising enclosing upper, lower, front and side walls, a crank shaft having rotational bearing in the side walls, pedal cranks on the ends of the shaft exteriorly of the side walls, a driving sprocket wheel on the shaft within the housing between the side walls, a rear axle housing comprising, enclosing upper, lower, rear and side walls, a pair of opposite laterally disposed tubular extensions on the side walls thereof, a rear axle extending through the tubular extensions and axle housing, rotary bearing supports for the axle in the tubular extensions, a driven sprocket wheel on the axle within the axle housing coplanular with the said driving sprocket, a sprocket chain on said sprocket wheels, the axle extending laterally from the ends of the tubular extensions, a. pair of supporting wheels on the ends of the axle substantially equally spaced from the plane of the sprocket wheels, a seat post connected to the crank housing extending upwardly therefrom and a pair of braces connected to an upper portion of the seat post and respectively to the said tubular extensions.

5. In a velocipede or the like, 'a crank housing comprising, enclosing upper, lower, front and side walls, a crank shaft having rotational bearing in the sidewalls, pedal cranks on the ends of the shaft exteriorly of the side walls, a driving sprocket wheel on the shaft within the housing between the side walls, a rear axle housing comprising enclosing upper, lower, rear and side walls, a pair of opposite laterally disposed tubular extensions on the side walls thereof, a rear axle extending through the tubular extensions and axle housing, rotary bearing supports for the axle in the tubular extensions, a driven sprocket wheel on the axle within the axle housing coplanular with the said driving sprocket, a sprocket chain on said sprocket wheels, the axle extending laterally from the ends of the tubular extensions, apair of supporting wheels on the ends of the axle substantially equally spaced from the plane of the sprocket wheels, a seat post connected to the crank housing extending upwardly therefrom, a pair of braces connected to an upper portion of the seat post and respectively to the said tubular extensions, a front supporting wheel, a fork and fork stem therefor, a swivel head for the stem and a frame element connected to the swivel head and to the forward wall of the crank housing.

6. In a velocipede or the like, a rear axle, a pair of supporting wheels on the ends of the on the axle in the housing, a

aide, a tubular housing for the axle provided with rotational hearing supports therein for the axle, an enlarged portion of the housing disposed midway between the wheels, a sprocket wheel on the axle in the enlarged housing portion, a c 'ank housing rotatably supporting a crank shaft, a pair of cranks on the ends of the shaftexteriorly of the crank housing, a driving sprocket wheel on the crank shaft midway betweenthe cranks, a chain on the two sprocket wheels and a forwardly and rearwardly extending side bar rigidly connecting the crank housing and the enlarged rear axle housing portion in spaced relation.

7. In a vclocipede or the like, a crank housing, a crank shaft extending through the housing rotatably supported therein, a pair of cranks on the ends of the shaft exteriorly of the housing, a driving sprocket wheel on the shaft within the housing, a rear axle housing, a rear axle extending through the housing, tubular extensions on the housing enclosing the shaft, a driven sprocket wheel chain on the two sprocket wheels, a rearwardly and forwardly disposed element rigidly connecting the two said housings in spaced relation, a seat post dctachably connected to the crank housing and extending upwardly therefrom, and a pair of braces pivotally connected to an upper portion of the seat post, extending downardly and laterally therefrom and pivotally connected to the said tubular extensions.

8. In a velocipede or the like, a c 'ank shaft support, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in the support, a driving sprocket wheel on the crank shaft, a rear axle support, a rear axle rotatably mounted thereon, a driven sprocket wheel on the rear axle, a sprocket chain on the sprocket wheels, a seat post detachably connected to the crank shaft support and exteiuling upwardly therefrom, and a pair of l) 'aoes pivotally connected to an upper portion of the seat post, extending downwardly and laterally therefrom and pivotally connected at their lower ends to the rear axle support.

9. In a velocipede or the like, a rear axle, a pair of rear supporting wheels on the ends of the axle, a supporting housing for the rear aide, a sprocket wheel on the rear axle substantially midway between the rear wheels, a crank housing disposed forwardly of the 1 rear aide, rigidly connected to the rear axle housing in spaced relation thereto, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in the crank housing extending therethrough, a pair of cranks on the ends of the crank shaft exteriorly of the crank housing, a driving sprocket in the crank housing coplanular with the rear axle sprockat and midway between the cranks, a chain on the sprocket wheels, and a seat supported alcove the crank shaft and in the plane of the rear axle sprocket wheel.

10. In a velocipede or the like, a forward- 1y diposed crank housing, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, a driving sprocket wheel on the crank shaft, a rear aide housing, a rear axle rotatably supported in the housing, a driven sprocket wheel 011 the rear axle, a chain on the sprocket wheels, the said crank housing being provided with a rearwardly disposed opening and otherwise entirely enclosing the driving sprocket wheel, and the rear axle housing being provided with a forwardly disposed opening and otherwise entirely enclosing the rear axle sprocket wheel, the housings terminating at said openings, a substantial distance rearwardly and forwardly respectively from the tangential points of engagement of the sprocket chain and wheels.

11. In a velocipede or the like, a crank housing, a pedal crank shaft rotatably supported in thehousing, a sprocket wheel on the shaft, a rear axle, a housing rotatably supporting the axle, a driven sprocket wheel on the axle, a chain on the sprocket wheels, a forwardly and rearwa 'dly disposed sidebar rigidly secured to one of said housings and forwardly and rearwardly adjustahly connected to the other housing, means to adj ustaloly move the said bar and housing respectively forwardly and rearwardly to adjust the tension of the chainand means to rigidly secure the said housing and bar together at any said adjustment.

12. In a velocipede or the like, a crank housing a pedal crank shaft rotatably supported in the housing, a sprocket wheel on the shaft, a rear axle, a housing rotatahly supporting the axle, a driven sprocket wheel. on the axle, a chain on the sprocket wheels, a forwardly and rearwardly disposed side bar rigidly secured to one of said housings and forwardly and re arv-sardly adj ustably connect-edto the other housing, means to adjustably move the said bar and housing respectively forwardly and rearwardly to adjust the tension of the chain, means to rigidly secure the said hous ing and bar together at any said adjustment, a seat post extending upwardly from the crank housing and pivotally connected thereto, a brace pivotally connected at one end portion to an upper portion of the seat post and pivotally connected at its other end portion to the rearaxle housing whereby the seat post and brace may automatically adjust their positions upon adjustable movement of the said bar and housing.

13. In a vehicle or the like, a crank housing, a crank shaft rotatably supported in the housing, a sprocket wheel on the crank shaft, a rear axle housing, a rear axle rotatably supported in the housing, a sprocket wheel on the axle, a chain on the wheels, a forwardly and rearwardly extending lug on one housing, a forwardly and rearwardly disposed side bar rigidly connected to the other housing and having an end portion adjustably connected to the lug portion, said adjustable connection between the lug portion of the housing and the end portion of the bar comprising a sprocket in one portion, a perforation in the other portion and a bolt extending through the perforation and through the slot and slidable in the slot whereby the spaced relation of the housings may be adjustably Varied to adjust the tension of the chain.

14. In a vehicle or the like, a crank housing, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, a sprocket wheel on the crank shaft, a rear axle housing, a rear axle rotatably mounted in the housing, a sprocket wheel in the axle, a pair of side bars rigidly connected to one housing and extending generally horizontally to the other housing and adjustably connected thereto, said adjustable connection comprising a pair of lug portions on said housing, adjacent end portions on said bars, slots in one pair of end portions, a bolt per foration in the other pair of end portions, a clamp bolt extending through said perforations and said slots, a tie member connecting said lug portions, a screw-threaded stud, a nut elementmeshed therewith and mounted stationary relative to the side bars, the end of the stud engaging the tie member whereby upon rotation of the stud the relative positions of the bars and axle housing may be adjustably determined to vary the tension of the chain and whereby upon tightening the bolt the said adjustment may be fixed.

15. In a velocipede, the combination with a velocipede frame, of a front steering wheel and a pair of rear driving wheels, an axle connecting the two rear wheels, a sprocket disposed intermediately on said axle, tubular axle housing elements enclosing the two end portions of said axle, an enlarged chain housing interconnecting the tubular housings, driving means comprising a pair of pedals and a chain sprocket supported on the frame intermediate the front and rear wheels, said frame comprising a pair of parallel spaced frame elements connected at their rear ends to lateral portions of said chain housing, and a driving chain encompassing both said sprockets, and disposed intermediate said parallel pair of frame elements.

16. In a velocipede, the combination with a. velocipede frame, of a front steering wheel and a pair of rear driving wheels, an axle connecting the two rear wheels, a sprocket disposed intermediately on said axle, tubular axle housing elements enclosing the two end portions of said axle, an enlarged chain housing interconnecting the tubular housings, driving means comprising a pair of pedals and a chain sprocket supported on the frame intermediate the frontand rear wheels, said frame comprising a pair of parallel spaced frame elements connected at their rear ends to lateral portions of said chain housing, and a driving chain encompassing both said sprockets, and disposed intermediate said parallel pair of frame elements, and

a second sprocket housing rigidly secured to 

